Supervisors address national flood plain imperative

The Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors discussed the revamped national Flood Plain Ordinance model designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

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By PRISCILLA MASILAMANI

poconorecord.com

By PRISCILLA MASILAMANI

Posted Mar. 8, 2013 at 8:10 AM

By PRISCILLA MASILAMANI

Posted Mar. 8, 2013 at 8:10 AM

» Social News

The Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors discussed the revamped national Flood Plain Ordinance model designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA and Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Agency are working on having new flood plain maps developed for all of Monroe County's municipalities.

The Monroe County Conservation District has developed a Model Flood Plain Management Ordinance to be considered by municipalities as they revise their current flood plain ordinances. The Model Ordinance contains language more protective of the flood plain than the federal and state minimum regulatory requirements. The board discussed the mandatory requirements that communities must meet to remain in compliance with the Federal Flood Insurance Program.

"We are looking at various scenarios and experiences within our township to make structural changes and modifications to the current document as defined by the Pennsylvania Control Boards," said Ron Karasek, township solicitor. By adopting the model ordinance, a municipality will maintain the existing hydrologic regime, protect water quality and maintain stream channel stability.

Once alterations are made, the document is to be sent to the Monroe County conservation Council and Smithfield Township Planning Council for Approval.

In other news, authorization has been given to advertise Request for Proposals for a grounds maintenance contractor for the year 2013. Supervisor Griffin suggested that, as they receive the bids, they need to make sure expenses don't go above estimates, when compared to the previous year's budget. "We look at best practices and choose the bona fide and qualified ones," said Chairman Brian Barrett. The board agreed to hold a mandatory meeting of the contractors on the grounds before anything is decided.

The board had named MetEd parent company First Energy Solutions its energy supplier. Until now, MetEd had been the sole supplier of electricity to parks, traffic signals and all township buildings. "The shift would give us an estimated savings of $2,000 per year," Barrett said. With this shift, the current rate has been brought down to 8 cents per kilowatt.

A bathroom facility is slated to be built at the waterfront park with a notice for bids. The board is authorizing notice to bidders for construction. A $15,000 federal fund was received last year under the Community Development Block Grant to build a handicapped accessible, seasonally timed facility at the park. This grant was first approved by the Redevelopment Authority of Monroe County. At present, there are porta-potties at park grounds. The board discussed removing the porta-potties once the facility is built, and it was decided to let it stay in place for a while. "Depending on the type and frequency of usage, we will determine later to get rid of them," said Barrett.

Expenses and registration fees for zoning officer Ken Wolf to attend the Flood Plain Development Council of PEMA at Harrisburg for four days was approved. The council directs that a township flood plain development officer attend the meetings in Harrisburg.